Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving should be a relaxing holiday. Visiting with your family and friends over a delicious meal is really the main celebration, so why do we make it so hard? I know all too well the stress that can accompany a Thanksgiving meals, but have managed to practically eliminate it over the years. Take a look at the following ideas to help make your Thanksgiving stress free.

Simplify. This can be easier said than done, but if you are committed to enjoying your own stress-free Thanksgiving gathering make the commitment to change things up if need be. Toss out the illusion of perfection and focus on your loved ones. You may be pleasantly surprised that no one minds the changes after all. Tradition is wonderful, but if it is a burden too big to bear, cut it down to size.

Share the load. Even if grandma did it all on her own, it does not mean you have to do the same in order to have an "authentic" holiday gathering. Invite family members to bring their famous dishes to share while you prepare the turkey or other meat. If there are guest traveling from out of town, have them bring beverages or give them other easy tasks such as helping to set the table. Along the same lines, there is nothing wrong with borrowing large platters, pots or other necessary items such as extra chairs.

Plan ahead. The best way to keep Thanksgiving stress-free is to maintain a Thanksgiving binder. Fill it with recipes, game ideas, decorations, guest lists and other tips that you want to remember from year to year. Keep track of what each guest is bringing so you do not have to store this information in your brain!

Count down. You probably do this when cooking the turkey, but it is very helpful when planning for your Thanksgiving party. If you have four weeks until the guests descend, break down your tasks so that you are not overwhelmed. This includes cleaning projects, shopping and even cooking ahead of time. Maintaining a master shopping list can help spread the cost out over several weeks as well.

Create a workflow chart. A chart that shows all the tasks that need to be done, along with a loose time frame can be posted in the kitchen, or in the front page of your Thanksgiving binder. Keeping it in plain view of all the guests lets them see for themselves what needs to be done so they can jump in and help. Often times people simply don't know what to do.

Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, exercise, and good nutrition in the days leading up to the big event. Keeping a sane schedule goes a long way in helping maintain an even keel during even the most hectic day. Build in a break during Thanksgiving day. Leave the tasks behind as you sit and chat with your family, play a pick-up game of football, or maybe you can escape for a long bubble bath before everyone arrives.

Give thanks. Remember to put the focus on your blessings and enjoy all those who have decided to share the day with you. Realize that there may be conflict throughout the day; a stress-free Thanksgiving does not depend on everyone being in perfect harmony. While you cannot force a Zen-like atmosphere, you can control how you react. Give thanks for even the most cantankerous relative and simply put a smile on, the weekend will be here before you know it!